Game Week 19 Predictions: United can't afford to lose to Villa

Manchester United's struggles continue as they face a resurgent Aston Villa. Analysis of the match and team strategies.

Manchester United is at a point where they can't drop points anymore in games like this, but will Aston Villa respect them? (Photo credit: 90Mins)

 

Manchester United vs. Aston Villa

Old Trafford

9:00pm

Manchester United looks like a sinking ship; the club hasn’t scored in any of their last four games. It dates back to 1930 for you to find the last time such a thing happened.

Sir Jim Ratcliff is now officially on board as a co-owner with the 25% he negotiated with the Glazers. The European Super League is hanging somewhere, hoping clubs like Manchester United will give green lights, but they must face what they have at hand.

Aston Villa is in a good place. They look like a team that means business, and Unai Emery might just be cooking something that will ultimately make it impossible for Manchester United to have a top-six finish this season.

Third on the log and only behind Arsenal by one point, a win for Aston Villa at Old Trafford will take Emery’s side to the top of the table depending on the outcome of Liverpool’s visit to Turf Moor. Who says Aston Villa can’t be top of the log into the new year?

Manchester United lost poorly against West Ham at the weekend. Two second-half goals without a reply have sent them lower than they were, and it has also meant they spent Christmas Day outside of the top six for the second time in thirteen years.

Where do Manchester United go from here? They must win this game to give their fans something to cheer on and to give themselves a fair chance to stay close to the teams at the top. As things stand, United isn’t in the title conversation as they sit twelve points off the pace, but they can’t give up yet.

How will they line up? United still have a few players on the roster; hence, they might return with youngsters Kambwala and Kobbie Mainoo again. Restoring Marcus Rashford to the starting lineup is also a possibility.

Aston Villa doesn’t typically fix what isn’t broken. Squad rotation might necessitate a few changes as the players need rest after playing every other day. Following his straight red against Brentford, Boubacar Kamara remains suspended. Matty Cash is unavailable after picking his fifth yellow, and Pau Torres is injured.

The midfield battle will be key. John McGinn and Douglas Luiz will square up against whoever Erik Ten Hag gives the nod to start. United will have to find ways to stop Ollie Watkins and Moussa Diaby. It will be an interesting game.

Verdict: Both teams score